Electric-wire connector



(1Y0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

J. W. HOFFMAN.

ELECTRIC WIRE CONNECTOR.

No. 445,751. Patented Feb.8,1891.

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J. W. HOFFMAN. ELECTRIC WIRE CONNECTOR.

No. 445,751 Patented Feb. 3,1891.

w: NORRIS PETERS 1:0.v FHOTDUTHO" WASHNGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcn.

JOHN XV. HOFFMAN, OF PULLMAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE PULLMANS PALACE CAR COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC-WIRE CONNECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,751, dated February 3, 1891.

Application filed August 22,1889. Serial'No. 821.575. (lilo model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN \V. HOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pullman, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricJVire Connections, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to means for connecting the electric Wires which are 1 used in the lighting of railway-trains between the cars; and the invention consists in certain devices whereby such connections are conveniently made.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of the meeting ends of two passen ger-cars with vestibule-connections, a portion of the walls of the latter being broken away and partly secured to show the connectin g devices. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the meeting ends of a flexible coupler and a stationary contact-block disengaged. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same devices in engagement.

Fig. t is a side elevation of the same parts in engagement, and Figs. 5 and 6 are details in 2 5 perspective.

In the drawings, referring particularly to Fig. 1, A represents the car ends, which are connected by the vestibule, of which B B represent the doors, 0 the bellows-fold fiexi- 3o ble connections, and D the frame-plates.

E is a flexible coupler for connecting the electric-light wires between adjoining cars. This coupler is shown. in detail in the remainin g figures of the drawings, and referring now 3 5 to said figures 1, 2, and 3 represent wires properly insulated and which, preferably, are cabled together between their ends, as shown at E in Fig. 2. Each of the wires will terminate at each end in a metallic contact, (marked 4,) the extreme end of which will be wedgeshaped, with a hollow or neck 4 back of the point. These contacts are secured, preferably, in a frame similar to that shown in Fig. 5, said frame having spring side plates 5, se- 5 cured by screws 6, said plates projecting beyond the ends of the contacts and being pro vided with slotted openings 7. Said frame may be provided with a removable top plate 8.

9, l0, and 11 represent ends of wires which pass through the car, and said ends are sccured to the frame of the ear in such manner as to adapt them for connecl ion with the coupler above referred to. As shown in |.|v drawings, the ends of Wires H 10 ll are Svcured in the hollows of metallic blocks 12, Fig. 6, to which blocks are secured clampingplates 13 of spring metal and of such form as to embrace the necks 45" of contacts 4, and thus retain the latter against the ordinary strains to which they are subjected. Supple- 6c mental contact-plates 14 may be secured to the blocks 12, and between which the wedgeshaped ends of contacts 4 will be thrust in order to increase the area of surfaces in contact. The blocks 12 of the several wires 9 1O 11 are preferably secured in a frame 15, having channels or chambers 15", and partitions'lti. l6 are studs projecting from walls 15. The plates 5 will be so constructed as to fit snugly the sides of the frame 15, and the slots therein '70 will receive the studs 16, and thus prevent vibration of the parts.

It will be understood that the construction of coupler shown in Fig. 2 is duplicated at its other end and that one of said couplers will be provided with each car of the train. In making up the train the various cars have their electric wires coupled by forcing the spring-plates of said coupler over the frames in which the ends of the car-wires are secured and forcing the contacts 4 into the embrace of the spring-plates 13 and 14. This coupler is readily applied and as readily removed, and affords an efficient adjunct to the systems of lighting trains by electricity.

Modifications of the construction herein shown may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the provisions which I have hereinabove shown and described for the ends of the coupler may go beapplied to the ends of the main wires, while the provisions for the main wires may be applied to the ends of the coupler. The springplates of the coupler ends and the engaging studs therefor may be dispensed with, as these 5 appliances are only additional provisions against the separation of the parts. The specific form of the contacts and embracingplates I deem a preferred construction; but

this may be varied. rco

The coupler may be in other relations than those hereinabove particularly specified.

I claim- 1. In means for connecting electric-light 5 wires for railway-trains, the combination, with a plurality of main wires having their ends secured within the hollow of metallic blocks confined within a frame, said blocks having spring contact-plates whose free ends project beyond the ends of the blocks and bend inwardly, of a coupler comprising wires corresponding in number to the main wires and having their ends secured with contacts having wedge-shaped points and hollowed out back of said points, whereby said contacts are adapted to be forced between said plates and to receive the bent ends thereof in their hollows, and a frame confining the ends of the eoupler-wires and adapted for telescopic connection with the frame of the main wires,

substantially as described.

2. In means for connecting electric wires, the combination, with the main wires having their ends secured to a conducting medium and confined within a frame bearing projecting engaging studs, of a coupler comprising wires whose ends are secured to a conducting medium and confined within a frame provided with spring-plates adapted to embrace the frame securing the ends of the main Wires and to engage the studs thereon, whereby to prevent the movement of said frames the one on the other, substantially as described.

JOHN \V. HOFFMAN. 

